Moisture is a Roof’s Worst Nighmare
Moisture and water are not a roof’s friend, and when you see signs of either one, it’s time to get it checked out by a professional roofing contractor. Moisture build up can be a sign of a larger and more expensive issue developing in the areas of your roof and roof membrane that you cannot see. Leaving the issue to be addressed at a later time can be a very costly mistake.
While coring is one of the most popular techniques to examine conditions under the roof membrane, there is another technique that is gaining in popularity – Infrared Technology.
What is Infrared Technology?
Infrared technology is a popular alternative to coring that is being used more frequently to check for moisture build up on a roof. A scanner equipped with infrared light frequencies identifies differences in temperature across a roof’s surface and the membrane underneath. Once scanned, it converts the data into digital reports that produce color images of the temperature variances.
The color blue is most commonly used to indicate cold temperatures and the possibility of moisture in the area of the roof that was tested. The color red shows warmer temperatures and signifies dry roof conditions.
There are a number of benefits as well as limitations to using infrared technology to scan your roof for moisture. They are outlined here:
Benefits
- Wider coverage: The major disadvantage when using the coring technique becomes the main advantage of infrared technology. Coring is limited to spot testing, but infrared technology can scan the entire roof area. Technicians need to know the precise area to core to get a proper assessment of your roof.
| - Time efficiency: Infrared technology is time efficient, allowing roofing contractors to quickly identify issues and start working on solutions to repair roofing problems.
| - It is non-invasive: Unlike coring, where you need to drill down into the roof to assess moisture levels, infrared technology will not disturb your roof structure.
| - Ideal for predictive maintenance: The technology assists with proactive roof maintenance and helps you identify potential issues.
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Limitations
- Weather conditions: Weather conditions can have an impact on the accuracy of results. Therefore, it is important to conduct testing during optimal conditions. For example, overcast skies or cloudy conditions do not make it possible to absorb thermal energy to conduct a test properly.
| - Roof types: Roofing types and construction also have an impact on testing. Roofs that are constructed using heavy materials or have extra insulation can interfere with the accuracy of the testing.
| - Proper training: To ensure an accurate reading, it’s important that you have a skilled technician perform the infrared technology test. With a number of variables in play, it’s still possible to get a less-than-accurate reading.
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How Often Should I Check My Roof?
It is important to check your roof a minimum of twice per year and after any major storm:
- Spring: After the winter is over to check for damage caused by ice and freezing temperatures
| - Fall: Before the cold weather to ensure your roof is in good condition to withstand winter weather
| - After a major storm: To check for damage and changes in your roof’s condition
You might want to read our blog, Important Questions to Ask Your Roofing Contractor During An Inspection for more tips on preventive maintenance best practices.
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